Biomedical subjects

J R Davidson

Publications and source records attributed to J R Davidson.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1979

Catechol-O-methyltransferase activity and classification of depression.

Red blood cell catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity was compared across different depressive diagnoses. In a sample of 88 depressed inpatients, using defined criteria, no difference was found in respect of enzyme activity and the following categories: primary, secondary, delusional, nondelusional, endogenous, nonendogenous (neurotic), characterological depressions. COMT did not vary with age or sex. A significant increase in COMT activity was noted in agitated, depressed males, as compared to other groups.

Adult↗

PubMed1977

Antidepressant drug therapy in psychotic depression.

Imipramine and phenelzine were ineffective in the treatment of five primary unipolar depressives with delusions, even when plasma levels of imipramine and desmethylimipramine or activity of platelet monoamine oxidase suggested that an adequate dose of drug had been given. Four patients went on to receive ECT and all responded well. Five non-delusional patients responded satisfactorily to the antidepressant drug given. Nine out of ten subjects were women. Non-delusional patients showed some placebo response. ECT is considered to be the treatment of choice in the acute phase of delusional depression in women.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Catechol O-methyltransferase in red blood cells of schizophrenic, depressed, and normal human subjects.

Catechol O-methyltransferase of lysed human red blood cells was assayed under optimal conditions, using saturating concentrations of the substrates, S-adenosyl-L-methionine and 3-4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The mean enzyme activity found in 24 normal subjects was 29-2 nmol/hr/ml RBC. The mean activity in blood of 33 female unipolar depressives was not significantly different from normal. However, higher enzyme activities were observed in the blood of 11 schizophrenic patients (38-9 nmol/hr/ml RBC). Partially purified enzyme preparations from blood of normal and schizophrenic individuals were indistinguishable with respect to substrate specificities, isoelectric pH values, and ratios of the two O-methylated products. Therefore it is unlikely that any defect in O-methylation which may occur in schizophrenia can be attributed to a change in the intrinsic properties of erythrocyte catechol O-methyltransferase.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Psychotropic drugs on general medical and surgical wards of a teaching hospital.

We examined the prescribing habits for psychotropic drugs of internists, surgeons, and gynecologists on their inpatient wards in a teaching hospital. Data were gathered from patients' charts and pharmacy records. In a six-week period, 9% of all admissions received such a drug. The male:female ratio and black:white ratios were studied; the maximum incidence of receiving these medications was in the 50- to 60-year age group. Minor tranquilizers were prescribed most frequently, followed, respectively, by major tranquilizers, barbiturates, and antidepressants. Less than half the available drugs were used, but drugs of differernt groups were often used interchangeably in an unsystematic fashion, and there was little evidence as to how effective a drug had been. It also seemed that depression was often overlooked or insufficiently treated.

Adult↗